Support for Immigrants Through Presbyterian Disaster Relief

Our prayers are with you

“When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don’t take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own.” —Leviticus 19:33–34 (The Message)

Recent months have seen a flood of Central American unaccompanied children and mothers with children, primarily from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, making their way across Mexico and into the United States. This influx—motivated largely by violence in their home countries—has been deemed a humanitarian crisis.

The US government has appointed FEMA to coordinate the various federal agencies that are providing the necessary emergency services, including holding the children and families in detention.

As people of faith, we are called to treat foreigners as God’s people who are to be welcomed. Many of our Presbyterian congregations along the border are doing just that by providing shelter, food, and clothing and helping to meet other basic humanitarian needs.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working to provide financial support to congregations and mid councils along the border, and members of the National Response Team are helping mid councils devise strategies to meet the needs of the children and families. We are also collaborating with ecumenical and interfaith partners who have experience working with refugees and immigrants and are also responding to this growing crisis.

You too have an opportunity to respond with compassion, generosity, and the acceptance of God’s call. Please stand in the GAP for the children and mothers.

What you can do

GIVE: Your financial gifts to DR000095—Refugee Emergencies will equip Presbyterian congregations and mid councils to continue to meet needs during the initial phase. The need for assistance is not likely to end soon, and your gifts will help address other needs likely to emerge. You can give through your Presbyterian congregation, make a gift online, or mail a check to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

ACT: Assemble and send Gift of the Heart hygiene and school kits. Advocate to express your concern for the protection of unaccompanied children and for upholding the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the PC(USA) General Assembly, wrote a letter to President Obama, and we encourage you to send a similar letter of concern to members of Congress. Stay informed. Like us on Facebook, and visit the PDA website to learn about more ways you can actively participate.

PRAY: that the grace and love of Christ will cover the children and families who have come, that they will be treated with dignity and respect, and that their safety and protection will be ensured.